Chinese companies lay low at the start of CES 2019

Las Vegas, the place where the CES 2019 convention is taking place gets crowded and crowded with tech enthusiasts, but one thing is different from last year, Chinese companies are laying low, choosing to step back from the spotlight amid rising US nations-security concerns over Chinese tech and (a/THE) trans-Pacific trade war launched by President Trump.

The numbers are not lying, with less Chinese entrepreneurs buying space to showcase their products and more than 20% fewer exhibitors than last year, according to registration numbers tracked by the South China Morning Post. The giant Alibaba choosing to stay quieter this year vs the big outdoor tent they had last year. Baidu choosing a more conventional booth over the flashy event they had last year, and not last Xiaomi choosing to skip CES his year.